Lin He had originally intended to wait for these people to arrive today, just enough to let them stumble upon Ning Nuo’s matter, but she didn't want everyone to witness such a scandal openly. Although Ning Nuo wasn't exactly a good person, she was still an unmarried maiden, and Lin He felt a pang of pity if things went too far. Ultimately, the person who bore the greatest responsibility was Madam Wen, and punishing her would be most appropriate.

With this thought, Lin He offered a perfunctory smile and said, "That won't happen. Though my husband and I are not home, there are still several servants in the courtyard. Thieves won't find it that easy to break in; everything will be fine." "Mother, Second Sister-in-law, what are you two speculating about here?

Just go in and look, it's only this far away," said Li Yuzhen, following behind Madam Wen, speaking to her. Madam Wen nodded at her, and Li Yuzhen signaled the maid beside her to open the door. At this point, Lin He had no choice.

She had tried to stop them, but to no avail. Whatever these people saw inside afterward, it wouldn't be her fault. Sure enough, the moment Li Yuzhen’s maid opened the door, just as Lin He expected, a shout erupted.

A group of women were startled. Lin He secretly observed; among those who had arrived, only Madam Wen and Li Yuzhen likely knew the truth. Since Li Yuzhen's maid was the one to open the door, if Li Yuzhen hadn't known beforehand, she wouldn't have been so eager to meddle in her own courtyard's affairs.

As for Madam Wen, there was no need to say more; she had orchestrated the entire affair herself, so how could she not know? However, Madam Wen possessed considerable talent for acting. Upon hearing Li Yuzhen's maid cry out, she showed no reaction, instead rebuking sharply, "Making such a ruckus in the Second Young Mistress’s courtyard—what propriety is that?

Just say clearly what you see." "Madam, this…" The maid’s face flushed red, and she trailed off without finishing. Li Yuzhen, standing nearby, pinched the maid on her body as if in jest and remarked, "This foolish girl has this temperament, exaggerating at everything she sees. I’ll replace her tomorrow." The maid looked aggrievedly at Li Yuzhen and began, "First Young Mistress, I…" Before the maid could finish her words, Li Yuzhen cut her off, "No need for you to speak.

I’ll see for myself. I truly want to know what is inside this room that has made you, you silly girl, speechless. Second Sister-in-law, you don't mind, do you?" Lin He thought to herself, If you don’t mind, what reason have I to mind?

But on the surface, she replied softly, "Then I will trouble the Eldest Sister-in-law." Li Yuzhen smiled and walked towards the doorway. Before even fully entering, she only peered inside. Whether she truly discerned the situation in the room or not, Li Yuzhen let out an exaggerated shriek, "Mother, Third Aunt, come quickly and look!

How could the Second Elder Brother's courtyard be left in such a complete mess?" Li Yuzhen's voice successfully drew the attention of everyone present. All the women curiously moved toward the room's entrance. Lin He followed at the very end.

When she reached the doorway, the scene inside also surprised Lin He somewhat. There were two people in the room, clearly a man and a woman, entangled naked and embracing. Upon opening the door, one could distinctly smell a noxious odor permeating the space—the unmistakable scent of lingering debauchery after intercourse.

However, because both the man and woman had their backs to the door, their faces were not visible from the entrance; one could only vaguely make out their figures. Despite the ongoing commotion at the doorway, the two naked bodies remained motionless, likely still asleep. Judging by the discarded clothing scattered on the floor and their heavy slumber, it was evident that the previous night’s 'battle' here had been quite intense.

Aside from a few of the attending maids, all the women who came to the courtyard today were married. When these women witnessed the state of the room, they did not scream or shout, but rather took a few steps back, moving toward the courtyard. Once in the courtyard, Li Yuzhen said with glee, "Second Sister-in-law, that man is Second Brother, isn't he?

No wonder I hadn't seen him today; it seems Second Brother hasn't woken up yet. Second Sister-in-law, you usually seem quite spirited, yet you are so generous." "Indeed, He'er. If I recall correctly, you and Xuan'er have only been married for a month.

You are barely out of the house, and Xuan'er treats you like this? It's a bit too much," the Third Madam seemed to say in righteous indignation. "Hmph, I knew all men were no good.

Third Sister-in-law, when you first married Third Brother, he brought a woman back from outside to be a concubine within a month of your marriage," the Second Madam interjected coolly from the side. "Second Sister-in-law, you…" Before the Third Madam could finish, Madam Wen halted her, "Stop arguing. Since this matter occurred in He’er's courtyard, and He’er is the mistress of this residence, let He’er decide.

He’er, Xuan’er’s actions have certainly wronged you, but I presume He’er is not the sort to hold a petty grudge." Madam Wen concluded, looking at Lin He with feigned pity. "Yes, Second Sister-in-law, so what do you think should be done? Who exactly is this slut?

Did Second Brother bring her from outside, or is she one of the maids in your own compound? Perhaps we should have someone wake them up. Since things have reached this point, they should at least be given a proper status," Li Yuzhen said, putting on a deliberately troubled expression for Lin He.

Lin He was just about to speak when a voice drifted from the study in the courtyard, saying, "Eldest Sister-in-law speaks of giving a status? You can give whatever status you wish, there is no need to seek my wife's approval." "Oh, what manner of speech is that? Matters within your courtyard are hardly my concern to—" Before Li Yuzhen could finish her protest, she sensed something was amiss.

The owner of this voice was… Li Yuzhen turned to look toward the study, and upon seeing Wen Ningxuan stride out from there, looking refreshed and composed, everyone felt a touch of confusion. If Wen Ningxuan came from there, then who was the man in that room? Wen Ningxuan smiled sarcastically, walked over to Lin He’s side, and spoke with feigned sternness, "Wife, why aren't you greeting Mother and your aunties properly when they visit?

Since they wish to know who is inside, have someone wake them up. It is morning already; whatever needed doing has been done." Wen Ningxuan concluded with a cold glance toward Madam Wen. Madam Wen felt a bad premonition upon meeting Wen Ningxuan’s gaze, suspecting the person inside might be connected to her.

Madam Wen was about to say it was unnecessary, but Lin He quickly adopted the posture of a submissive young wife, saying, "My husband is absolutely right; it was my oversight. However, since my husband is here, he is the head of the household; this matter is entrusted to you for resolution." Wen Ningxuan looked at Lin He with eyes full of amusement, thinking this little woman was truly here just to enjoy the spectacle, refusing to manage any trouble, leaving the entire affair to him.